"HILLBILLY" FROLICS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 37, 7 November 1938, Page 4

"HILLBILLY" FROLICS

Hilarity At Film Club's Barnyard Dance

The Mayfair Cabaret has seldom undergone so complete a transformation as on Saturday night, when the Wellington Film Chib decorated it with hay and barnyard “trimmings,” and gave a “hillbilly” dance. A notice of welcome over the door cautioned the visitors to leave their “bosses” outside, a request with which everybody apparently complied. Inside. hay’ was the keynote of the decorative scheme. A high screen of straw barricaded off the orchestra, who were almost flic only people present in evening dress, and round the walls was a series of clever and amusing sketches, which owed their inspiration to Pau) Webb. The invitations, which were issued some time ago. urged those who were coming to “gel yourself all rigged up in yar harvest clothes," and straw hats, dungarees, grey flannels, and red handkerchiefs were features of the ingenious costumes which most people wore. With so much straw about, the temptation to chew it proved too much for many of rhe guests, ami this added greatly to the "local colour. ’ It is impossible for people in free and easy clothes to stand on ceremony, and the dance was as informal as a traditional roundup. A “hillbilly” supper added to the merriment, and afterward a grand march gave everybody an opportunity ro sec everybody else’s “getup.” A numlier of prizes were awarded lor the best costumes, and the results of the judging were announced by the club’s secretary, Mr. Lloyd Morgan, who was wearing every accessory of the mountain farmer except his gun. Mrs. Ina Allen, who was more conventionally attired in a graceful frock of heavy’black crepe, then presented the prizes, with the enthusiastic encouragement. of everybody present. At. midnight the guests reluctantly abandoned the masquerade and quiet returned to Cuba Street. The committee responsible for thi.* elaborate and successful effort consisted of Messrs. ,l. Cleland (president). .1. Paxton I vice-president), Lloyd Morgan (secretary), T. Whiteacre (treasurer), R. Young. R. Kelly and R. Hodson.

Among people well known, in Wellington film circles who were present, wore Mr. and Mrs. Alee Regan. Mr. and Mrs. 11. Waddington. Mr. and Mrs. ,1. Cleland. Mr. and Mrs. .1. Turley. Miss Al. Findlay. Messrs. R. M. Stewart. J. Dunn and R. Nelson.